For most people, buying a new roof is one of the most important and expensive maintenance decisions for their biggest investment. For many homeowners, the cheapest option is the default choice, while others choose a style they like and leave the details to a contractor.
It’s not always easy to find out who makes your roofing material. It can be even harder to find out if they recycle or work to minimize their environmental impact. But the impact of our roofing choices, both on our homes and on the environment, is too great to ignore.
We’ve researched roofing materials and manufacturers to make it easier to buy an eco-friendly roof. Our results are far from comprehensive, but as more consumers begin to demand this information, more manufacturers will begin to provide it. When they do, we’ll update our sustainable roofing results.
Materials
This article looks at the pros and cons of the most common manufactured roofing materials. We don’t include natural roofing materials in the comparison chart since they aren’t manufactured.
Asphalt Shingle
Asphalt is the most affordable roofing option. It’s so common that when people talk about roofing, they often mean asphalt shingles. About 75% of single-family homes in the U.S. have them.
Laminate shingles (also called architectural or dimensional) are fiberglass layered between asphalt and ceramic granules. They can be made to look like more expensive materials, such as tile, wood, and slate. Although slightly more expensive than basic three-tab asphalt shingles, laminate shingles perform better. Single-plane shingle roofs (also called 3-tab) are the easiest roofs to retrofit with a solar panel system. Several asphalt tile manufacturers offer solar-compatible or solar-integrated asphalt roofs.
Asphalt roofs usually last 20 to 25 years, but some newer, high-quality ones can last 40 years or more. While asphalt shingles can technically be recycled, most still end up in landfills. The shingles recycler, GAF, report that over 13 million tons of asphalt shingles are removed from U.S. roofs each year, and less than 10% are recycled. The rest go to landfills, where they can take 300 to 400 years to break down.
On the bright side, shingle-to-shingle recycling is improving, with CertainTeed’s RenuCore technology and GAF’s RoofCycle process helping to create more circular options for asphalt shingles.
Wood Shingle and Shake
Handmade wood shakes are valued for their natural appearance and are known for being expensive. However, machine-made wood shingles cost only a bit more than asphalt. Wood shingles can develop mold, split, or rot in damp climates.
Untreated wood shakes don’t have a fire safety rating, so many places with wildfire risk don’t allow them. Fire retardants can help wood shingles and shakes reach a Class B fire rating, and adding extra materials to the roof can help them meet Class A standards. Chemically treated shingles can’t be composted. Even with these issues, wood roofs can last 25 to 30 years, and with careful upkeep in mild climates, they may last up to 50 years.
Getting wood shingles or shakes from a local sawmill cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions from transport and ensures the wood species fits your region. Whether you buy locally or from a national brand, look for FSC-certified wood.
Metal
Metal roofing options include steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy strips. They come in various shapes and textures, from standing seam panels to shingles that resemble tile or slate. Metal can be more expensive than asphalt, but, except for copper, it remains among the more affordable long-term roofing options when lifecycle costs are considered. Proper installation and good insulation are required to minimize noise from rainfall and wind “chatter.” Metal is lightweight, virtually fireproof (Class A fire rating), and particularly suited to solar panel systems. Metal roofs last 40 to 70 years or more, and they are the most easily recycled roofing material, as metal is 100% recyclable at end of its useful life as roofing.
Tile
Tile roofs are common on Mission and Spanish-style homes in the western and southwestern U.S. While they’re often found in desert areas, some tiles, like Ludowici’s that meet ASTM C1167 frost-resistance standards, can be used in cold climates too. Roof tiles can be made from terracotta clay, ceramic, or concrete. Tile roofs are heavy and may need extra framing. Concrete tiles cost less than clay but offer many of the same benefits. Clay tile roofs can last 50 to 100 years or more, while concrete tiles usually last 40 to 50 years.
Slate
Slate roofs are heavy enough to require extra framing. As arguably the most expensive roofing material, they are not an option for most budgets. But they are also nearly indestructible, with a lifespan of 50 to 100 years or more. Be aware of the origin of the slate that will be used, as the sustainability and durability can vary. Because slate is so heavy, the distance slate tiles must be shipped will significantly affect not only the cost but the environmental impact of choosing this natural material.
Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic roofing can be made from materials like plastic, clay, rubber, or asphalt, and is often designed to look like natural materials such as slate or wood. Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) single-ply roofing, usually used on flat or low-slope roofs, is still one of the top-rated cool roofing products. GenTite offers TPO for homes, and Westlake Royal Building Products’ DaVinci roofing provides composite slate and shake roofing as lighter and more affordable alternatives to natural materials.
Not many synthetic materials have been around long enough to know how they’ll perform over time. Still, some show promise, with strong performance ratings and 50-year warranties. Synthetic roofs could be a good choice for those willing to research, but we haven’t included them in our manufactured roofing comparison below.
Roofing Rating Criteria
When reviewing sustainable roofing, we consider a variety of factors, including warranties and certifications.
Longevity
The lifespan of your roof is largely determined by the material you choose. Slate roofing has the longest average lifespan, and wood or 3-tab asphalt shingles have the shortest. However, individual products can be manufactured to higher standards, so a very good asphalt roof may last as long as an average metal one. For our comparison of manufactured roofs, we started with metal roofs ranked highest, followed by tile, then asphalt. Then we modified the manufacturers’ rankings based on warranties.
Energy Efficiency
The radiative properties of roofing materials are solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Both are rated on a scale of 0 to 1, where 1 is the most reflective or emissive. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) maintains the Rated Products Directory, which is now the primary standard for evaluating roof energy performance since the ENERGY STAR roofing program ended in June 2022.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a reflective cool roof can stay more than 50°F cooler than a conventional roof under the same conditions. Cool roofs can reduce cooling energy costs by 7–15% or more, minimize temperature fluctuations inside the home, and reduce the urban heat island effect. In our comparison, we focused on manufacturers whose products are rated by the CRRC and have high solar reflectance values. Keep in mind that even top manufacturers make some products that don’t meet cool roof standards.
You can install solar panels on almost any roof, but we gave higher rankings to manufacturers that offer solar-integrated or solar-compatible roofing systems.
Recycling Practices
All of the roofing materials we considered are technically recyclable. However, in practice, many homeowners have trouble finding local recycling options — particularly for asphalt shingles. When ranking manufacturers, we considered their use of recycled materials, their recycling practices in production facilities, and their circular-economy initiatives.
Federal Tax Incentives
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, accelerated the phase-out of the Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act. The original expiration was the end of 2032, but the new expiration date was December 31, 2025. Homeowners who had qualifying cool roof products installed and operational by December 31, 2025 can still claim the credit on their 2025 tax return.
Comparison Chart
Meet the Manufacturers
Malarkey
The family-founded Malarkey Roofing Products, established in Oregon in 1956 and now a member of Holcim Building Envelope, continues to lead the industry in sustainable shingle innovation. All Malarkey shingles include 3M Smog-Reducing Granules that use photocatalytic technology to convert nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) into water-soluble nitrate salts, actively reducing air pollution. Each average-sized roof has a smog-fighting effect equivalent to planting approximately two trees, according to data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and 3M.
Malarkey’s proprietary NEX® Polymer Modified (Rubberized) Asphalt incorporates upcycled rubber from tires and post-consumer plastics into the shingle asphalt, diverting waste from landfills while improving durability. Their 2024 Sustainability Report noted cumulative totals of approximately 6.8 million upcycled rubber tires and 4.5 billion upcycled plastic bags diverted from landfills. All three Malarkey manufacturing facilities are GreenCircle Certified for both Recycled Product Content and Waste Diversion from Landfill.
Ludowici
Ludowici has been making clay tiles from locally sourced materials harvested within six miles of the plant, since 1888. They offer a 75-year warranty on standard products, with an expected lifespan of more than a century. Many of Ludowici’s 58 standard colors provide a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) greater than 39, making them an energy-efficient option without limiting design choices.
Although the standard product uses 3% post-industrial recycled materials, the Ludo360 product line uses 40% recycled material from clay scrap, shale, and waste. Ludowici’s manufacturing process generates no waste, and all products are 100% recyclable, either reused as vintage roofing or crushed for construction fill and filter applications.
Interlock Metal Roof Systems
Interlock specializes in aluminum metal roofing systems manufactured in Delta, British Columbia. Their variety of profiles — including slate, cedar shingle, shake, Mediterranean tile, and standing seam — includes solar-compatible bracket systems. The company suggests you’ll “Never Re-Roof Again,” and Interlock backs its products with a Lifetime Limited Warranty that is transferable to a second homeowner as a 50-year non-prorated warranty.
Interlock roofing panels contain up to 95% recycled aluminum and are 100% recyclable at end of life. The proprietary Alunar® Cool Roof Coating System reflects heat to reduce cooling costs by up to 25%. Interlock roofing was selected for the SPOT MODULE Project, which supports the South Pole Overland Traverse in Antarctica.
CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain)
CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain (the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction), operates more than 60 manufacturing facilities in North America. The company makes more than 300 residential roofing products, primarily asphalt but also metal roof tiles that resemble clay, slate, and shake. Warranties range from 10 years to lifetime depending on the product.
CertainTeed’s CoolStar granule technology yields CRRC-rated products. They also offer a solar-integrated roofing system. A major recent development is RenuCore™, a patented technology that pelletizes both post-industrial and post-consumer asphalt shingle waste for reuse in hot mix asphalt paving — a meaningful step toward circular economy practices for asphalt roofing. Saint-Gobain’s broader sustainability commitment includes a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a 49% reduction in landfill waste was recently achieved at the Shreveport, Louisiana roofing facility.
Westlake Royal Roofing
In 2021, Westlake Chemical Corporation acquired Boral North America’s building products businesses, and in January 2022, launched the unified Westlake Royal Building Products brand, bringing together the former Boral roofing lines with Royal Building Products and DaVinci Roofscapes. The former Boral brands were rebranded as follows: US Tile (premium clay), Newpoint Concrete Tile Roofing (formerly Boral Concrete), Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing (formerly Boral Steel), and DaVinci Roofscapes (composite slate and shake). Westlake Royal also offers its own integrated roofing components line including high-performance underlayments like SwiftGuard and the Sol-R-Skin BLUE radiant barrier.
US Tile’s clay products carry a 50-year warranty and contain up to 59% recycled raw materials, and they are 100% recyclable at end of life. Westlake Royal’s clay tiles retain the Cradle to Cradle certification earned under Boral. All clay and concrete tiles carry a Class A fire rating, and select tiles include Class 3 or 4 hail impact ratings. Multiple products are CRRC-rated with cool roof–qualifying color options.
DaVinci Roofscapes composite tiles offer Class A fire, Class 4 impact, and 110 mph wind ratings with a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty, positioning them as a durable alternative to natural slate and cedar shake without the weight or maintenance.
Eagle Roofing Products
Eagle Roofing Products is the concrete tile division of family-owned Burlingame Industries. Concrete tiles do not have the life expectancy of natural clay but are still likely to outlive their 25-year warranty. They match clay’s high solar reflectance values, and when installed with a sheathing ventilation system, can reduce heat transfer into the attic by almost 50% compared to an asphalt shingle roof.
Eagle’s standard tiles contain 2.5% recycled content; their lightweight products are made from 65% recycled material. Eagle has taken environmentally-minded steps in manufacturing, including reducing electricity usage and selecting vegetable- or water-based chemicals. Concrete tiles are heavy, so proximity to manufacturing matters: Eagle’s plants are in Rialto and Stockton, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Sumterville, Florida.
Berridge
Berridge Manufacturing Company, in business for more than 50 years, specializes in architectural sheet metal products, including roofing, selling directly to architects and contractors. Their watertightness warranty is 20 years (when installed by a Certified Applicator), and the expected lifespan of a Berridge metal roof is 40 to 70 years or more.
The company’s products contain roughly one-third recycled materials and feature advanced Kynar 500® and Hylar 5000® PVDF coatings that resist fading and chalking while reflecting solar radiation, contributing to energy savings and supporting LEED certification goals. Berridge’s 11 manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Texas and the South, though metal sheets are less carbon-intensive to ship than heavier materials like tile.
Tamko
Tamko is a family-owned business and one of the largest roofing manufacturers in America, specializing in asphalt shingle. They offer CRRC-rated products and a limited lifetime warranty on their shingles.
What’s Changed Since 2019
Since this guide was first published, several important changes have affected the world of sustainable roofing:
ENERGY STAR for roofing has been discontinued. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification program for roofing products officially ended in June 2022. The CRRC Rated Products Directory is now the standard for evaluating roof product reflectance and emittance. Builders, utilities, and code officials should reference CRRC ratings. The underlying reflectance thresholds (≥0.25 for steep-slope, ≥0.65 for low-slope) still serve as useful benchmarks.
Circular economy gains momentum. The asphalt shingle industry is making real progress on closing the loop. Saint-Gobain/CertainTeed launched RenuCore™, a shingle-to-paving recycling technology. GAF developed its patented RoofCycle™ process, which can use approximately 90% of collected shingle waste to manufacture new shingles, and has committed more than $100 million to scale the technology. Still, with over 13 million tons of shingle waste generated annually and less than 10% recycled, much work remains.
Cool roof science strengthened. Research published in Urban Sustainability found that city-wide adoption of cool roofs could reduce building HVAC energy consumption by 15–35% in current climates and even more dramatically under future warming scenarios, reinforcing the value of reflective roofing choices.
Editor’s Note: This article, originally published on April 8, 2019, and written by Gemma Alexander, was updated in February 2026 to include the latest manufacturer details, new sustainability information, and an updated comparison chart.
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Searching for affordable sustainable swimwear is not easy! Finding a suit that’s flattering, timeless, made ethically from eco-friendly materials and is also not exorbitantly expensive is challenging, to say the least.
On my search, though, I’ve come across many incredible eco-friendly and ethical swimwear companies with fantastic quality suits at affordable prices.
Now, I will say that “affordable” is relative. I’m not going to show you “cheap” swimsuits but rather brands with great value that sell ethically made, quality swimwear for a fair price. Because let’s be honest—that $5 bikini will likely fall apart after a few wears anyway, if not sooner. (I once bought a cheap suit from Target that literally fell apart before I even wore it out of the house. Lesson learned!)
What is Sustainable Swimwear?
Well, for one, quality is key. Because the longer you keep your suit, the fewer you’ll need to buy in the future! It can be difficult to determine quality when shopping online, but I always look at what fabric is used (ECONYL® is a fantastic sustainable + luxurious material used in swimwear). Then, I try to find as many reviews as possible to figure out if that particular brand has long-lasting swimwear.
Also essential: eco-minded fabrics. You’ll see that most of the suits from these brands use regenerated and recycled synthetic fabrics. This is because though natural fibers are generally preferable, synthetics like polyester and nylon are sometimes required for performance, given where material innovation is at right now.
There are a few natural solutions on the market, though! I have an organic cotton and hemp suit from Natasha Tonic, for example. There are only 3 brands I know that create natural swimwear at a decent-sized scale but we are still seeing progress on this front which is great!
Just be sure to use a Guppyfriend Washing Bag so that microfibers don’t get released when washing your synthetic fabric suits!
And then bonus points if a brand has other sustainability initiatives. See if they use renewable energy at their factories, purchase carbon offsets for their energy use, or donate regularly to environmental nonprofits.
Where to Find Affordable Sustainable Swimwear
Check out these brands making sustainable affordable swimwear, from sporty one-pieces to beach-ready bikinis. Note that this guide affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through some of these links. As always, we only include brands that meet rigorous standards for sustainability we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Do Good Swimwear
Do Good Swimwear creates colorful or neutral suits in classic, comfy cuts. The sustainable affordable swimwear brand uses ECONYL, regenerated nylon made from ocean waste like discarded fishing nets, and each suit is designed with timeless shapes, making them easy to mix, match, and love for many summers to come. Adopting a slow fashion mindset, Do Good Swimwear’s pieces are made in a local manufacturer for maximum transparency and minimal waste.
Do Good Swimwear also has quite a few give-back projects: they donate to Trees for the Future (plants trees and focuses on enriching soil), Surfrider Foundation (ocean conservation organization), and Tahanan (women’s crisis center in the Philippines), and Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (micro finance loans for women and education for girls).
Separates: $54+ | One-Pieces: $72
Size Range: XS – L
2. Dippin’ Daisys
This brand is one of my favorites on the list for their style, sustainability standards, and size inclusivity. With a variety of collections from their cheeky Club Ibiza suits to their feminine Petit Déjeuner collection, the brand has a range of prints, colors, and silhouettes for every aesthetic.
Founded by a chemist, Dippin Daisys created their signature fabric from 83% recycled nylon. The sustainably minded swimwear brand also uses recycled foam for their bra inserts and elastic made from rubber instead of synthetics. And since the brand owns their own factory — exceedingly rare in the fashion industry — they also have control over any waste fabric. With current recycling technology, this fabric turns into insulation — but Dippin Daisys is working on a new process that can recycle the fabric back into yarn for new suits.
With many separates priced below $50 and one-pieces under $100, and a collection of sets on sale for $50 or under, this is an affordable option for recycled fabric swimwear.
Separates: $49+ | One-pieces: $76+
Size Range: XXS – 3XL
3. Londre
Londre has high-quality and flattering separates and one-pieces made from recycled materials.
Not only are Londre’s eco-minded swimwear pieces versatile (they can also be worn under bottoms as bodysuits!) and durable, but they are also designed to be fully recyclable at the end of their life.
Separates: $40+ | One-pieces: $98+
Size Range: XS – 5XL
4. Ohoy Swim
Inspired by the beauty of the ocean — and the need to protect it — Ohoy Swim is an eco-friendly swimwear brand prioritizing recycled materials, durability, and ethical production.
Their bikinis, rashguards, one-pieces and other sustainable swimwear is made from recycled nylon sourced from ocean waste like discarded fishing nets.
The European brand has recently switched to manufacturing in Portugal to further reduce their carbon footprint and increase transparency into their supply chain.
Separates: €55+ | One-pieces: €95+
Size Range: S – XL
5. Carve Designs
Every single suit from Carve Designs swimwear collection — from rashguards to one-pieces and bikinis to tankinis — is made using recycled materials. The brand has recycled swimwear is solid colors and a range of prints, like floral and nautical. They also have reversible options if you want to maximize wear out of your suit. (Or in case you just can’t decide!)
Many of their designs offer full coverage, making Carve Designs a good option for more modest eco-friendly swimwear or for getting active in the water.
Separates: $66+ | One-pieces: $98+
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Kitty and Vibe
Kitty and Vibe is a sustainable swimwear brand that went viral for being the first company to make bikini bottoms based on your butt size — not just your hip size. For every size they offer there’s an option for a smaller or larger booty so you don’t have to worry about having too much or too little fabric.
Their suits are made from 82% Recycled Poly and 18% X-Life Lycra and are ethically made in a woman-run factory in Bogota, Colombia.
Separates: $72+ (sale as low as $21) | One-Pieces: $138+
Size Range: XS – 4XL
7. Patagonia
Sustainably-minded outdoor clothing and adventure gear brand Patagonia also has a great collection of affordable eco-friendly swimwear. Their style leans athletic, but the fun prints and colors make their suits great for lounging at the pool as well.
Patagonia uses recycled nylon for their swimwear and some suits are made in Fair Trade Certified factories as well. I have a Patagonia bikini that I bought a couple of years ago and I’m definitely a fan—the fabric is comfy and the suit stays in place when swimming.
Separates: $49+ | One-pieces: $129+
Size Range: XXS – XXL
8. Saturday Swimwear
Saturday Swimwear has suits in colorful and neutral hues made from ECONYL regenerated nylon sourced from waste like discarded fishing nets. Each suit is thoughtfully handmade by owner Emily Laplume as she travels across the United States in her van!
The affordable sustainable swimwear brand packages their suits in completely biodegradable and compostable materials and uses recycled paper hang tags with soy-based inks.
Separates: $55 – $60
Size Range: S – L
More Guides For Sunny Beach Days:
Organic & Recycled Beach Towels for Sustainable Summer Fun
Eco-Friendly & Ethical Dresses for Any Aesthetic
15 Sustainable Sandals for Carefree Sunny Days
The post 8 More Affordable Sustainable Swimwear Brands For Your 2026 Adventures — and Beyond appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
8 More Affordable Sustainable Swimwear Brands For Your 2026 Adventures — and Beyond
Philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson is the source of today’s inspiration. In his essay History, he wrote, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
Earth911 inspirations. Post them and share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
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Deodorant or antiperspirant is something most of us apply daily, often without a second thought about the difference between the two. Antiperspirants are designed to stop you from sweating; deodorants are designed to stop you from smelling. That distinction matters, because it shapes which ingredients end up against your skin every morning — and which ones you might want to leave on the shelf.
If you want to simplify your routine and cut synthetic ingredients, the natural-deodorant category has matured dramatically since this guide first ran. Formulas work better, packaging has gone plastic-free, and aluminum-free options now fill mainstream shelves. Here is how deodorant and antiperspirant differ, what the science actually says about the ingredients people worry about, and seven natural deodorants worth trying.
Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants
The difference comes down to function. Antiperspirants use aluminum-based compounds — aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, or aluminum zirconium — to temporarily plug sweat ducts and reduce wetness. Deodorants do not block sweat at all; they work by neutralizing or masking the odor that bacteria produce when they break down sweat. A natural deodorant lets you perspire normally while tackling the smell.
You may have heard that the aluminum in antiperspirants is tied to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. It is worth being clear about where that stands. The American Cancer Society says there is no clear link between antiperspirants containing aluminum and breast cancer, and notes that sweat glands are not connected to the lymph nodes; sweating cools the body rather than flushing out toxins. The National Cancer Institute reached the same conclusion in its review, and the Alzheimer’s Association has described the antiperspirant–Alzheimer’s connection as a long-running myth. A 2024 toxicology review keeps the question open as a research topic but states that aluminum at the concentrations regulators permit in antiperspirants is not classified as a carcinogen.
None of that obligates you to use aluminum. Plenty of people prefer to skip it, want simpler ingredient lists, or are drawn to plastic-free packaging — all reasonable, values-driven reasons to choose a natural deodorant. The case for switching just rests on those preferences rather than on disease risk.
Ingredients People Choose to Avoid
Beyond aluminum, several ingredients common in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are ones natural-product shoppers tend to screen out, some for documented irritation or hormone-disruption concerns, others as a precaution. Here’s a plain-language guide to the most-discussed ones:
- Parabens: Synthetic preservatives that can mimic estrogen in lab settings. Most major deodorant brands have phased them out, but the Environmental Working Group still flags methylparaben for endocrine concerns.
- Propylene glycol: A texture-softening agent that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. Notably, several deodorants marketed as “natural” still contain it, so it’s worth reading the label before you buy.
- Synthetic fragrance (“parfum”): A catch-all term that can mask undisclosed ingredients, including phthalates. Fragrance-free or essential-oil-scented formulas sidestep the ambiguity.
- Triclosan: An antibacterial agent the FDA removed from over-the-counter antiseptic washes in 2016 and from consumer hand sanitizers in 2019, citing antibiotic-resistance and thyroid concerns. It is no longer common in deodorant, which is the point — the deodorant industry has moved on.
The PFAS Problem in “Natural” Deodorants
There is a newer wrinkle earlier versions of this guide didn’t cover. Independent lab testing commissioned by the consumer-advocacy group Mamavation, on products purchased between February 2023 and February 2024, detected organic fluorine — a marker for PFAS — in several deodorants, including Dr. Teal’s, Each & Every, Hello, Hey Humans, Lume, and a Secret antiperspirant, at levels from roughly 11 to 34 parts per million. The amounts are small and may reflect unintentional contamination rather than added ingredients.
Why care about trace amounts? PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are called “forever chemicals” because they resist breaking down in the environment and in the body, so exposures accumulate over time instead of clearing. In April 2024 the EPA set the first legally enforceable national drinking-water limits for several common PFAS, concluding there is effectively no safe level for two of them. Expert reviews of PFAS toxicity have associated the chemicals with thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage, and kidney and testicular cancer. A daily product that sits on the skin is a small exposure on its own, but it adds to a lifetime of others — which is exactly why persistence matters.
Read the label, not the marketing
The word “natural” is not defined or enforced by the FDA, so any product can use it. The reliable signals are a complete published ingredient list and third-party certifications, such as USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free), or Certified Vegan. Every pick below meets at least one of those bars.
7 Natural Deodorant Picks
Whether you prefer a stick, roll-on, cream, spray, or refillable system, these seven options are free of aluminum compounds and screen out the synthetic ingredients above. Availability and formulas were verified in June 2026.
This guide contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one, Earth911 earns a small commission that helps fund our Recycling Directory.
1. Crystal
Crystal, made by French Transit, has produced mineral-salt deodorant since 1984 and is one of the simplest formulas on the market — its classic stick is a single ingredient, potassium alum, which creates a barrier that inhibits odor-causing bacteria without blocking pores. The line is free of aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, silicones, phthalates, and artificial fragrance, and is vegan and cruelty-free. It now spans sticks, roll-ons, the original stone, and mineral deodorant sprays, in scents from unscented to lavender.
2. Erbaviva
Erbaviva’s spray deodorants are USDA Certified Organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, built on quickly-evaporating organic grain alcohol and organic essential oils — jasmine and grapefruit, lemon and sage, or lavender and geranium — that help fight underarm bacteria. The non-staining mist can also be used on fabric and yoga mats.
3. JK Naturals
California-based JK Naturals handcrafts stick deodorants from certified organic ingredients — kokum butter, coconut oil, neem, witch hazel, and steam-distilled essential oils like lavender and peppermint + tea tree. The line is 100% natural and aluminum-free, with adult and teen formulas. Because it’s a kokum-butter base, warming the stick against skin for a few seconds before applying gives a smoother glide.
4. Native
Native, now owned by Procter & Gamble, is the best-selling natural deodorant in the U.S. and is aluminum-, paraben-, and phthalate-free. Its formula has been reworked since this guide last ran: the current sticks use coconut oil, shea butter, and tapioca starch, the brand is now vegan, and its standard line has moved away from baking soda — with a dedicated baking-soda-free Sensitive line for reactive skin. Native also offers plastic-free paperboard packaging that ships in a recycled paper mailer.
5. Wild
Wild built its reputation on a refillable system: a reusable case paired with compostable refills made from bamboo pulp, eliminating the single-use plastic tube. The formula is aluminum-, paraben-, and sulfate-free, made from 98% natural-origin ingredients, and is both Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free) and Vegan certified. Each refill lasts roughly four to six weeks. For an Earth911 reader, it’s the strongest pick on packaging waste.
6. Schmidt’s Naturals
Schmidt’s Naturals, a Portland, Oregon brand now owned by Unilever, is one of the most widely available natural deodorants, with plant- and mineral-based formulas that are certified vegan and cruelty-free. Its “never list” excludes aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrance. Sticks built on arrowroot powder, baking soda, coconut oil, and shea butter come in scents like charcoal & magnesium and bergamot & lime, and a baking-soda-free Sensitive line addresses the irritation some people get from baking soda.
7. Humble Brands
Humble Brands, made in Taos, New Mexico, keeps its formula to a handful of ingredients — non-GMO cornstarch, MCT coconut oil, candelilla wax or beeswax, and either baking soda (original) or magnesium hydroxide (sensitive, baking-soda-free). It’s aluminum-, paraben-, and propylene-glycol-free, Leaping Bunny certified, and a 1% for the Planet member. The sticks ship in fully plastic-free, plant-based paperboard packaging.
Making the Switch
If you’re moving from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, a few practical expectations help:
- Expect an adjustment period. Without aluminum plugging your sweat ducts, you will perspire more at first. Most people find odor control settles within a couple of weeks.
- Match the formula to your skin. Baking soda is an effective odor-neutralizer but irritates some people. If you get redness, switch to a baking-soda-free or magnesium-based formula — Native, Schmidt’s, and Humble Brands all make one.
- Reapply as needed. Deodorants don’t stop sweat, so a midday touch-up on hot or active days is normal. A travel size or spray makes that easy.
- Choose less packaging. Refillable systems (Wild) and plastic-free paperboard (Native, Humble Brands) cut the roughly 100-plus plastic tubes a person can go through in a lifetime — most of which can’t be recycled curbside because of mixed materials.
- Recycle the container correctly. Empty sticks are usually mixed plastics; check what your local program accepts using the Earth911 recycling search tool.
Editor’s note: Originally published on March 1, 2019, by Lisa Beres, this article was extensively updated in June 2026.
The post Why You Should Ditch Antiperspirant: 6 Natural Deodorants That Work appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/living-well-being/deodorant-dos-and-donts/
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